Plant Panthers football program getting back to championship form

A brand new turf field, after a solid 2021 campaign, have hopes soaring for the Panthers

TAMPA, FLORIDA – The four-time state champion Plant Panthers haven’t quite been their championship selves the last few seasons.

Last season, however, provided a glimpse of potential that the Panthers could be back to their old contending ways. Plant ended the 2021 campaign with a record of 6-4, just missing out on the postseason. The Panthers now aim to return to the playoffs and be in form for a run towards a fifth championship, now under the direction of head coach Hank Brown.

“Our goals are simple. We want to improve on all three phases of the game,” Brown said. “Building on what we started last season and keep climbing this season.

“Our team has attacked summer workouts with a purpose. They have been intense and the kids have pushed themselves and each other to new limits. 7-on-7 continues to be good for us as we install our passing offense and pass coverage on defense.”

One of the top players from Plant to watch for in 2022 is athlete Jaquez Kindell, who Brown is very high on. Kindell last season caught 32 passes for 466 yards and seven touchdowns. The quarterback competition is down to junior Trey O’Malley and sophomore JC Mirasola battling it out. Receivers AJ Durham, Darrion Jenkins and tight end Brand Farrior will be the main targets besides Kindell this fall. Though some kids did end up transferring out, the Panthers still have a strong nucleus remaining.

“We had some kids decide to transfer out of our program and we wish them the best success on their journey," Brown said. “You never want to see kids leave but in today's world it is more and more common. We live by the next man up philosophy.”

The football program is getting a turf uplift when it comes down to the field, as the school has installed new artificial grass for the first time in 12 years. The old artificial turf has seen some of the top moments in program history, with the championship seasons in 2009 and 2011. Now Plant will enter a new era under Brown along with some new turf to go along with it.

Plant is in the final stages of installing a brand new turf field at the school, after 12 years with the original synthetic surface / Photo courtesy of Plant Panthers Football

“It has been a little over 12 years since we got the original turf,” Brown added. “The old turf had definitely run its course as all sports and activities at Plant are on that field. The new turf is almost at completion and looks and feels great. I know that everyone at Plant is excited to have a new field going into 2022.”

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.